VOL. 53 ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 20, 2016 P51
AMA URGES DOT TO INCLUDE MOTORCYCLES
M
andating vehicle-to-vehicle
communications technology
in new cars can benefit all road
users, but motorcyclists demand
to be included in the discussion,
planning and implementation of the
policies and regulations governing
the rollout, the American Motorcy-
clist Association said today.
"We have been representing the
interests of the motorcycling com-
munity since day one on this issue,"
said Wayne Allard, AMA vice presi-
dent of government relations. "We
certainly recognize and appreciate
the potential for improved safety as
vehicles communicate while in op-
eration. But we want to ensure that the detection
and response sensors and software can detect
motorcyclists and respond appropriately."
The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a
proposed rule that would advance the deployment
of connected vehicle technologies throughout the
nation's light-vehicle fleet. The Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking would enable vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V)
communication technology on all new light-duty
vehicles, enabling new crash-avoidance applica-
tions that, once fully deployed, could prevent
hundreds of thousands of crashes every year by
helping vehicles "talk" to each other.
The proposed rule would require automakers
to include V2V technologies in all new light-duty
vehicles, which are passenger cars and some
pickup trucks. The rule proposes requiring V2V
devices to "speak the same language" through
standardized messaging developed with industry.
In addition, the Federal Highway Administration
plans to issue guidance for Vehicle-to-Infrastruc-
ture (V2I) communications, which the DOT says
will help transportation planners integrate the
technologies to allow vehicles to "talk" to roadway
infrastructure such as traffic lights, stop signs and
work zones to improve mobility, reduce conges-
tion and improve safety.
"This new technology could help motorcyclists
immensely by alerting drivers of a rider's presence
as they prepare to make a left turn or approach a
motorcycle from the rear," Allard said. "The AMA
has submitted comments to the DOT and its Na-
tional Highway Traffic Safety Administration since
this technology first came to light. And we plan to
work with the current administration, the incoming
administration and Congress on these issues."
Among the motorcyclists' concerns are:
• Software and sensors must be designed to
recognize motorcycles and respond appropriately.
• Personal privacy must be protected.
• The communications systems implemented,
whether Wi-Fi or another technology, must be
secure from hackers.
• The vehicle operator should have the option
to turn off the signal to prevent unwanted tracking.
Motorcyclists and others wishing to keep track
of the V2V and V2I advances and their effect on
the riding community should subscribe to AMA
Action Alerts at https://cqrcengage.com/ama-
cycle. CN
AMA urges DOT to
not forget about
motorcycles when
it comes to new
technology.
